The Trauma Center Pioneers
While many brave medical professionals contributed to the creation of Harborview’s Trauma Center, the following doctors were largely responsible for the revolution in patient care. They also continue to expand the legacy of Harborview by inviting doctors from around the world to train at the facility, and by training Seattle firefighters to be paramedics through Medic One.
Dr. D. Kay Clawson (see the interview)
Dr. Clawson led the orthopedic department at Harborview from 1958-1975, and spearheaded the transformation in the treatment of fractures. Under his leadership, other residents at Harborview were empowered to aggressively treat fractures, despite the resistance they experienced from the medical establishment.
Dr. Sigvard Hansen (see the interview)
As a resident at Harborview in the 1960’s, Dr. Hansen witnessed the beneficial effects of Dr. Clawson’s method of treating fractures. He accepted a position with the orthopedic department when his residency was complete. Together, Dr. Clawson and Dr. Hansen vowed to treat all fractures with surgery for multiple-injury patients.
Dr. Robert Winquist (see the interview)
Dr. Winquist attended medical school at the University of Washington and completed his residency under Dr. Clawson in 1974. In 1975, he returned to Harborview with a position under Dr. Hansen. The two doctors’ collaboration and teamwork were largely responsible for promoting this new concept for modern trauma care.
Dr. Frederick Matsen (see the interview)
Another rising star under Dr. Clawson, Dr. Matsen discovered a way to quickly diagnose and surgically treat “Compartment Syndrome,” a complication of trauma that resulted in loss of blood flow to lower leg muscles. Today he’s the Chairman of the Department of Orthopedic and Sports Medicine at the UW Medical School.
Dr. Leonard Cobb (see the interview)
A cardiologist with the University of Washington, Dr. Cobb collaborated with the Seattle Fire Department and Harborview to begin training firemen as paramedics. This was the beginning of Medic One. The care patients receive before they even arrive at the Trauma Center has been very important to its success.
Dr. Michael Copass (see the interview)
Dr. Copass is currently the Director of the Paramedic Training Program and the Medical Director for Seattle Fire Department Medic One. He recently retired as Chief of Emergency Services, a position he held for 35 years. He took the concept of treating cardiac patients on the scene expanded it to general medicine and trauma care. His remarkable leadership has helped make Medic One a model for cities around the world.
Dr. Ronald Maier (see the interview)
The General Surgery Department of Parkland Hospital in Dallas moved to Harborview in 1973, bringing Dr. Maier, then a resident, to Seattle. He has been at Harborview ever since with time out for a Fellowship in Cellular and Molecular Biology. His guidance, as Surgeon-in-Chief, of the General Surgery Department and ceaseless efforts to improve trauma care have brought advances in Surgical ICU Care, helping build Harborview’s reputation for training trauma surgeons.
AO Group (see Dr. Clawson discuss the AO Group)
The AO Group, an organization of Swiss orthopedic surgeons dedicated to better care of patients with muscular-skeletal injuries, also believed in early surgical intervention and getting patients mobile as quickly as possible. Their research had far-reaching influence and led to a partnership with the Global Synthes Corporation, the world’s largest maker of implants for repairing fractures.
